The Lumina Foundation awarded a total of $789,000 to Oregon's seven public universities and 17 community colleges. The money will be used to test a program that measures students' knowledge and skills at graduation.

Andrew Dawes, an assistant physics professor at Pacific University, received $91,800 for research from the National Science Foundation.

The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry received $60,000 from JPMorgan Chase.

Lewis & Clark College and the Oregon Indian Education Association received $50,000 from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

If you know of a grant or donation to a nonprofit group or project to consider noting in Community Helpers, please email the item to helpers@oregonian.com or fax it to 503-227-5306, or send it to Community Helpers, The Oregonian, 1320 S.W. Broadway, Portland, OR 97201.